Neighbors race to save man from burning building in Racine

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Neighbors race to save man from burning building in Racine

RACINE — Neighbors in Racine Tuesday afternoon, July 24th raced to save a man trapped on the balcony of a burning building. The Racine Fire Department eventually brought the man down from the balcony. However, the man likely won’t forget his neighbors were willing to risk their lives for him.

Bruce Hansen snapped photos as his neighbors raised a ladder to the balcony.

“They wanted him to jump, but he couldn’t move. He was just hugging the corner, trying to keep away from the flames until somebody could rescue him. People were hosing him off, trying to keep him cool,” Hansen said.

29-year-old Eddie Martinez was at the top of the ladder — the trapped man’s next door neighbor.

Victoria Saldana is Martinez’ cousin, and said Eddie wanted the man to climb down the ladder, but the man couldn’t because of a physical disability from a recent stroke.